In the past decade, more and more people have been dealing with dry, irritated, sensitive skin or skin prone to recurring flare-ups. Sometimes this involves conditions such as atopic dermatitis, sometimes psoriasis, and in other cases simply skin that has been exposed to environmental stress, excessive use of active skincare products, or chronic stress.
At the same time, interest has grown in ozone-based technologies, particularly the ozonation of plant oils. To understand whether this represents a marketing trend or a biologically grounded approach, it is useful to return to the fundamentals: what ozonation is, what occurs at the molecular level, and how this process relates to skin physiology.
What Is Ozonation?
Ozonation is a controlled chemical process in which ozone gas (O₃) is passed through plant oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Ozone is a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms and has a high oxidative potential. Under controlled conditions and for topical use, it has been used for many years in various areas of medicine.
When ozone interacts with the double bonds in fatty acids, relatively stable structures known as ozonides and organic peroxides are formed. These compounds are not "free ozone," but rather reservoirs of active oxygen that may gradually release oxygen when in contact with the skin.
Process control includes:
- Precise ozone concentration
- Controlled temperature
- Use of high-quality oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids
- Controlled reaction time to avoid excessive oxidation
The result is a plant oil enriched with active oxygen compounds and a biological profile different from that of the original oil.
How Ozonated Oils Work on the Skin
To understand their potential effects, it is helpful to look at three key mechanisms.
Interaction With the Skin Microbiome
The skin hosts a population of microorganisms that form part of its natural defense system. When this balance is disrupted — for example in atopic dermatitis, where an overgrowth of Staphylococcus aureus has been described — persistent inflammation may develop.
Active oxygen compounds present in ozonated oils may help create an environment that is less favorable for certain pathogens without acting as classic antibiotics. Clinical studies have reported reductions in bacterial colonization alongside improvements in inflammatory severity indicators in several skin conditions.
Influence on Inflammatory Pathways
Chronic skin inflammation involves cytokines — signaling proteins that regulate inflammatory responses. Several studies have reported reductions in severity scores in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis following topical use of ozone-based formulations.
A possible explanation relates to effects on cellular oxidative balance, meaning the regulation between oxidative and antioxidant mechanisms. Controlled exposure to mild oxidative signals may stimulate adaptive cellular responses that support repair processes.
Support for the Skin Barrier and Epithelial Renewal
The skin barrier relies on intercellular lipids. Plant oils provide essential lipids, and when enriched through ozonation they combine lipid nourishment with subtle biological signals associated with re-epithelialization — the renewal of the epidermal layer and the closure of skin lesions.
In studies involving burns and chronic wounds, improved wound closure and better clinical outcomes have been reported when topical ozonated oils were used alongside standard treatment.
Where Ozonated Oils May Help
Ozonated plant oils have been studied in recent years in a variety of conditions involving the skin, nails, and even sensitive tissues such as the eyelids and the oral cavity. In most studies, they were used as part of a broader care routine rather than as a substitute for medical treatment.
Chronic Inflammatory Skin Conditions
In skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, the skin barrier may become impaired and the balance of the skin microbiome may shift.
A clinical study published in 2020 found that topical ozone-based treatment in atopic dermatitis was associated with a reduction in disease severity and improvements in skin microbiome diversity, along with decreased colonization by Staphylococcus aureus — a bacterium often linked to worsening of the condition (Zeng et al., 2020).
In psoriasis, controlled studies have reported that topical use of ozone-based preparations was associated with reductions in disease severity scores and changes in inflammatory mediators related to immune system activity (Lu et al., 2023).
These findings suggest that products of this type may be integrated as supportive elements within broader care routines for inflammatory skin conditions.
Fungal Skin and Foot Infections
Fungal infections of the feet are among the most common skin infections. In a controlled clinical study comparing ozonated oil with a topical antifungal treatment based on ketoconazole, high rates of clinical and mycological improvement were observed in both groups. In the ozonated oil group, no recurrence of infection was observed during a six-month follow-up period (Menéndez et al., 2002).
These findings suggest that ozonated oils may be relevant as supportive products in situations involving fungal skin infections.
Onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is a common and often persistent condition, partly because the structure of the nail can make it difficult for topical products to penetrate. Research on ozone-based preparations suggests that the oxidative activity of compounds formed during the ozonation process may influence the structure of fungal cell membranes and create an environment that is less favorable for their growth. For this reason, such products are sometimes used as part of care routines for onychomycosis, typically over several weeks and according to professional guidance.
Support for Chronic Wounds
Chronic wounds, particularly among people with diabetes, are often characterized by slower healing and a tendency toward recurrent infections. In a clinical study examining treatment of diabetic foot wounds, the addition of ozone-based therapy alongside standard care was associated with improvements in wound severity indicators and a reduction in lesion size (Martínez-Sánchez et al., 2005).
In addition, a study on second-degree burns found that topical use of ozonated oil resulted in healing progression comparable to that observed with hyaluronic acid gel in measures such as redness, itching, and the rate of tissue regeneration (Campanati et al., 2013).
Are Ozonated Oils Used Only for Chronic Conditions?
No. Ozonated oils may also be suitable for short-term use in localized situations such as severe dryness, skin cracks, or temporary irritation. In chronic conditions, they may be integrated into a long-term maintenance routine. In more acute situations, use may be shorter and more targeted.
The appropriate duration of use depends on the clinical context and, when needed, professional guidance.
Safety of Ozone-Based Products
A large systematic review that included hundreds of publications did not identify significant dermatological risks associated with topical use of ozonated oils. Reported side effects were rare and generally mild and transient.
Ozonated Oils and Skin Care
Ozonated oils were developed for situations where both lipid nourishment and gentle biological activity are needed — without relying on steroids or antibiotics. They may be incorporated into care routines for the face, body, scalp, feet, and nails according to individual needs, while maintaining basic principles of gentle cleansing, avoiding product overload, and maintaining consistency.
The information on this website is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute personal medical advice or a substitute for consultation with a physician. Products are classified according to applicable law as cosmetics, medical devices, or non-medicinal products, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Use of the information and products is subject to instructions and user responsibility.
